Rates of Cannibalism in <i> Asynarchus Nigriculus </i> based on Sedge Nutrient Content
Abstract
Understanding the dynamic interactions between aquatic invertebrates is critical in forming an accurate illustration of mountain stream ecology. Aquatic detritivores, such as A. Nigriculus, form the majority of the biomass in mountain ponds and rivers around Colorado, as they are usually the primary consumers of aquatic detritus. However, certain species of caddisflies in these sub-alpine ponds, such as Asynarchus nigriculus larvae, feed on other caddisflies and cannibalize one another as well. This is probably a supplementation for caddisfly larvae to grow as rapidly as they do in these temporary ponds up in the Mexican Cut, at around 11500 feet in subalpine elevation, which is notorious for having a nutritionally poor environment (Fig. 4). In our study, we manipulate the number of nutrients in the water, enhancing their diet, to observe if the additional nutrients cause a shift in A. nigriculus larvae feeding behavior. The main nutrients we are studying, and which we are supplementing, are nitrogen and phosphorus since these are what have been studied in previous similar experiments regarding Asynarchus nigriculus. Through our experiment, we found the average body size, behavior, and mortality of caddisfly larvae in the function of the treatment ( additional Phosphorus, additional Nitrogen, additional Phosphorus, and Nitrogen, or control) they were receiving. It is difficult to predict mortality and behavior between each of the treatments, or if the sedge detritus (or the microorganisms inhabiting their surface) have taken up the nutrients at all.
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References (16)
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